UCLA gymnastics uses key Big Ten meet as postseason primer

With the Big Ten title on the line at the Big Four Meet Friday at Pauley Pavilion, the UCLA gymnastics team is focusing on what it can control.

“Our goal is to go out there and do what we’ve done all season long,” coach Janelle McDonald said. “Doing good gymnastics and continuing to build confidence on the competitive field before we jump into [the] playoffs.

Coming into the season, the Bruins had some elite veterans and an otherwise young team. Steady growth in underclassmen helped UCLA rank No. 4 nationally and come within a win of winning its second straight Big Ten title.

“Last year when we got into the Big Ten we really wanted to make a statement and I think we did just that,” McDonald said. “Coming into this year with a younger team, eager to continue this momentum, was really special. »

UCLA teammates applaud as freshman Ashlee Sullivan completes her floor exercise routine at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 17.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

In nine weeks of competition, the Bruins have adapted and shown up for each other, but navigating the season requires a different level of job management. As UCLA looks toward postseason contests, McDonald and the coaching staff have been attentive to the young team’s approach of staying locked in while managing fatigue.

“Every day doesn’t have to feel like a full-fledged competition mode routine,” she said. “It’s really about honing in on the details and doing things that help us feel good about the weekend and having confidence that every weekend your gymnastics is where it needs to be.”

Over the past two weeks, the coaching staff has worked to change the team’s mentality so that they are aware of the rest and recovery needed before the playoffs, without slacking off during games.

UCLA is coming off a record road score against Illinois. Jordan Chiles won his eighth Big Ten Conference Gymnast of the Week award, a conference record for the most in a season. Ashlee Sullivan tied teammate Tiana Sumanasekera for the most Freshman of the Week awards after receiving her third honor after setting a career high on vault and matching her best score on floor.

The Bruins will host No. 18 Iowa, No. 19 Ohio State and No. 25 Maryland on Friday, their toughest competition since their last quad meet, where they placed third behind Oklahoma and Louisiana State. Regardless of the opponent, the strategy doesn’t change, and facing three tough opponents will give the Bruins the opportunity to immerse themselves in a postseason environment.

UCLA will not choose which event it will begin with, there will be no time for exhibition routines and there will be no open training on other events. There will be a lot happening, with four teams on the field. It’s easy to get distracted.

McDonald wants his team to stay focused on what they can control within the Bruin bubble.

“All of those things are very much what postseason competition feels like,” McDonald said. “I just remind them that this is great practice for what’s to come; it’s definitely something we’ve talked about this week.”

UCLA gymnast Jordan Chiles performs her floor exercise routine at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 17.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Succeeding for consecutive years in a new conference that consistently features teams scoring higher than 197 means a lot to UCLA. Especially with a young team that has never experienced the college season before. Watching the gymnasts change their approach to everyday life and developing the young team, led by Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, has been a big part of the Bruins’ success.

Competing for a conference title is only part of the process.

“We want to go out there and represent the four letters as best we can every year,” McDonald said. “Really proud of the consistency our team showed to achieve this. »

Malabuyo grows as a leader

As a student graduate assistant, former Bruin Emma Malabuyo has gained a greater understanding of the other side of the sport and is growing into her new leadership role. She joined the coaching staff after finishing her college career last year as a four-time All-American and three-time conference champion.

“It’s very helpful for our athletes to be able to chat with her because now she’s able to understand what they’re going through, but also see it from a coach’s perspective,” McDonald said. “Her [coaching] her style is just typical of who she is and it’s really just supportive, caring and really hungry to be great.